Mitchell Russell’s first Ontario Hockey League goal probably played through his mind a hundred times afterwards, and countless times before.

Growing up in Barrie shooting pucks in the backyard it’s not hard to imagine Russell picturing himself streaking up the ice and firing a puck top shelf in a storied arena like the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in front of nearly 7,000 fans on a Friday night. The eventual Owen Sound Attack first-round pick dropping to one-knee for a little extra oomph on the shot.

The dream became reality for the 16-year-old rookie earlier this month.

“I had a chance to shoot. The coaches have been telling me to shoot a little more, so I took the shot,” he recalled. “I got the first one out of the way.”

For Russell, it would be his first and only goal of the season to date. The centre has two assists to go along with his tally so far in this his freshman campaign. It’s a result in stark contrast to the 29 goals in 33 games he scored last season as a member of the Barrie Colts minor midget AAA squad, but not all too unfamiliar a pattern for young players adjusting to the new league.

Jonah Gadjovich, now playing with Team Canada in the World Junior Championships, remembers his first season with the Attack - netting only four goals in 60 games.

“I came in being a big guy, but in minor hockey I was dominant,” Gadjovich said. “Then you come into a league like this where you’re a small fish in a big pond and you just kind of have to pay your dues.”

It wasn’t until his third year in the OHL, when Gadjovich broke out notching 46 goals, that he became a scorer again. He credits the early years to rounding out his overall game.

Gadjovich didn’t want to handle the puck too much early on, he remembers, so instead he would chip-and-chase, go hard on the forecheck, and develop into the National Hockey League power-forward prospect he is today.

“I think every year, if you can take those steps, you implement different aspects and playing in different areas of the ice into your game,” he said.

Dale DeGray, the Attack’s general manager, remembers it was Russell’s skill and determination which he liked enough to make him the 20th overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection.

“I thought he had a real good shot,” he said. “I talked to some people who said he’s willing to work at his game, and to me that’s a good mix.”

“You’re not going to get the results right away,” said Russell after an Attack practice. “You can’t do exactly what you did in minor midget hockey because guys are a lot smarter, faster, stronger.”

For many players the first year in the OHL is a time for acclimatization. A new city, new high school, new teachers and new friends - all the while trying to carve out a role on the team.

“It’s not an easy thing to do,” said Russell. “But when you’re prepared and ready to go everyday it makes things a little easier.”

“It’s a big step from minor hockey,” said Gadjovich. “I think he’s been doing great. He really picked up his game and rose to the occasion. For him, it’s just about development.”

Russell slotted in to head coach Todd Gill’s first-line centre spot for a few games when injuries to Kevin Hancock and Zachary Roberts left Owen Sound shorthanded.

It’s a role and position the Attack rookie will hope to one day grow into as he develops.

The OHL probably seems worlds away from the backyard shooting gallery where Russell’s parents had a bigger net behind their outdoor goal to protect the valuables from errant shots.

“Me and my brother didn’t always have the best aim,” Russell jokes. “I think it was for him more than it was for me.”

Russell and the Attack will now set their sights on the Barrie Colts, the second-half of the 2017/18 season, and beyond.